The Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) H.E. Mattar Al Tayer inspected the work progress in Dubai Metro in a tour that took him to Al Rashidiya, City Center, Union Square, Financial Center, Mall of the Emirates and Jumeirah Lakes metro Stations.
Al Tayer inspected the final touches carried out by the project contractor in several Dubai Metro stations, and was satisfied with the work progress in finishing works of the floors, functionality of escalators & lifts, and interior lighting.
He also inspected the tailor-made features for people with special needs such as tactile floor designed to guide visually-impaired passengers to their destinations, as well as audio-visual PA systems.
Al Tayer also inspected the finishing works and aesthetic elements of the stations which have unique interior designs that fit well with their historical implications.
The design themes of Dubai Metro stations reflect the four elements of nature i.e. water, air, fire and earth, while the heritage design of Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba Stations (in the Red Line) emulates the history & civilization of the UAE. The core concept of the heritage-inspired design is based on the architectural elements used in antique building such as wind towers (Brajeel), oriel (mashrabia), alleyways (sukaik), and internal arches through replicating them in an enhanced manner.
These stations with their unique designs will look as a natural extension of the heritage icons in the vicinity such as the antique shops, Heritage Village, and both the antique & existing control towers.
During the inspection tour Al Tayer viewed the results of the technical trial run of the metro covering communication systems, auto operation systems, power supplies, air-conditioning, on-board electronics, signaling & lighting systems, and integration and co-ordination tests between various sub-systems and components.
Al Tayer also inspected the pedestrian crossings linking up with the metro stations, where 19 footbridges have been installed across Sheikh Zayed Road. These footbridges, which are air-conditioned & spacious, provide public thoroughfares across Sheikh Zayed Road and feature moving walkways and high quality finishes.
The footbridges will revolutionise pedestrian accessibility in the city and support the broader objective of promoting reduced dependence on private car usage. He also checked the arrangements made towards allocating spaces as bus stops and taxi ranks in each station in addition to directional signage and other related matters.
During the inspection tour – in which he was accompanied by the CEO of Rail Agency Abdul Majeed Al Khaja together with several RTA directors, the Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defence Dep’t Abdul Aziz Khamees, and several executives of the consultant & contracting companies – Al Tayer honoured several consultant and contracting companies operating in the project in recognition of their dedication and commitment to deliver their tasks on time as per the plans set out for the key phases of this vital project, which promises to bring about a shift in the drive to enhance transport multi-modal integration in the emirate of Dubai.
At the end of the tour Al Tayer expressed his delight with the work progress at various sites of the project, and hailed the efforts of workers who are working diligently to deliver the project. He called upon the contracting companies to redouble their efforts to deliver the project on schedule.
